WORLD OF MUSIC

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 16 May 1925, Page 12

WORLD OF MUSIC

OPERATIC SOCIETY. The adjourned general meeting of members will be held o n Tuesday, when it is hoped theie will be a good attendance. I’he question to be decided is the opera for the season. The matter ivill he thoroughly discussed jn all its hearings, and it is hoped a decision will be made, so that tlie society mayget under way for me season. A HAWERA COMPOSITION. Some y'ears ago Mr. J. Higham, of Hawera, composed a full march, which he called “Taranaki.” When tlie Besses o’ the Barn Band were in Hawera. they' played the march, as they also did at others of their concerts in New Zealand and Australia. It will be re mem lie red that the march was on the programme of the Newcastle Steel Works Band when they were in Hawera mst month. OR GHESTRAL SOCIETY. It will he news to all interested in music to know that the Hawera Society- was reformed last Tuesday- night, and that they intend to practise on Tuesdays in the Methodist schoolroom. On Tuesday next they will hold their annual meeting, and, after disposing of the formal business will have a. short practice under thei r appointed conductor, Mr. Eox, conductor of the Municipal Band. Mr. Eox is keen to make a success, and if members cooperate with him as, if they are wise to their own interests, they will, the success of the society' is assured. The conductor and committee hope to see every member and every intending member iii addition to all interested in music. MALE CHOLIC After some delay the scores of “Hiawatha” have arrived and-will be put in practice next week. It is a good move the choir have made to select a full choral work. It will, how. ever, be essential that every member makes a resolve to put Lx* his best work. The lady vocalists of Hawera have always been capable, keen and enthusiastic. If their, work is on a par with that which they used to do years ago in thei r musical society, it will be excellent and will help to make the work done under the auspices of the choir even more popular. When the orchestra joins up the conductor will have a busy and an interesting time.

Two of the Wanganui church choirs are adopting the quartette competition idea as a means to general improvement 'in choir work. It is said St. Paul’s choir have already had one function of the kind and that another is contemplated, whilst Trinity Choir members are preparing to compete in quartettes, for a set of silver juttons presented by an enthusiastic member, Air. AlcCullougli.

What appears to be a new departure in musical scores is announced by' Curwen’s, as agents for the Oranz Edition, namely the publication of orchestral scores with ..reduction for the piano printed underneath. Such a score must be a boon to the average conductor as well as to the pianist student. Over one hundred numbers have been published in this form, including all the Beethoven Symphonies and others by Berlioz, Cherbuiz, Flo tow Donizetti and others. In a very- eulogistic notice of the cantata “Merrie England,” performed recently in Christchurch, the Press says that Miss Alyra Sawyer, who took the part of Bessie, is gifted with a sympathetic, sweet, and well-manipu-lated voice. Her enunciation is clear, and her Expression, suitably' varied; she achieved a very decided success, nowhere better than in the duet with Raleigh, “When a Maid Doth Love a Alan.” BRITISH CHORAL WORK. Tlie noteworthy first perfoi-mance in London of the great service by Wm. Byrd (1543-1623) was sung under the auspices of the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust in St. Margaret’s, Westminster, by the Newcastle Bach Choir. A programme sent from London to the Star shows that the service included “Yenite, exultemus Domino,” “Te Deum.” “Benedict us,” “Ivy-trie,” “Creed.” “Magnificat,”, and “Nnnc Demittis.” Tlie Bach Choir, says a notice (New-eastle-on-Tyne) was founded in 1915 for the purpose of producing Bach’s church cantatas on a. scale in keeping with the master’s intentions. ! Later, it added. British music, old and new, to its repertoire. The choir has done a great work in reviving interest in British choral music. In regard to Byrd’s great service, it is worth- mention that this demands constant diversion of the alto line, and that therefore the part was doud'ed for the occasion.

A QUIP. “Los Angeles.—The new traffic ordnance here gives pedestrians the rights of-wa.v over motorists.”—Sunday paper. (We hope the next American film will show us a hefty pedestrian kicking ‘a two-seater out of his way.—Punch.)